Connection arrangements

ABSTRACT

A connecting arrangement for connecting hip rafters at the apex of a hipped roof comprises a plurality of hip rafter support members arranged sequentially around the apex of the roof. Each support member includes at least one outwardly extending member and a carrier member to carry the outwardly extending member. The outwardly extending members are pivotally attached to the carrier member. The outwardly extending member of each support member is adapted to support a respective hip rafter such that adjacent outwardly extending members on adjacent support members can support the same hip rafter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to connection arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to connection arrangements for use with hipped roofs, for example on conservatories or greenhouses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the building industry, conservatories are becoming more and more popular. Different conservatory designs are used, having differing roof pitches. In order to accommodate the different roof pitches, it is necessary for differently angled components to be used at the apexes of the roof Attempts have been made to design connection arrangements for use at the apexes of roofs which will accommodate any roof pitch, but these have the disadvantage that they require decisions from the builder which can result in faulty roofs being constructed.

[0003] A further disadvantage of typical known components that, since the components are dedicated to one configuration and pitch of hipped roof, several different components are required to enable roofs with a wide range of configurations and pitches to be constructed.

[0004] Another disadvantage is that known connecting arrangements are typically substantially circular in configuration, having hip rafters and intermediate rafters attached at a common height. The main axes of these rafters must converge at the center point of the roof otherwise the roof will not have been constructed properly.

[0005] It is often difficult to ensure that there is convergence of all axes at the center of the roof with known connection arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a connecting arrangement to connect hip rafters at the apex of a hipped roof, the arrangement comprising a plurality of hip rafter support members which can be arranged sequentially around the apex of the roof, each support member comprising at least one outwardly extending member and a carrier member to carry the outwardly extending member, the, or each, outwardly extending member being pivotally attached to the carrier member, wherein the, or each, outwardly extending member of each support member is adapted to support a respective hip rafter such that adjacent outwardly extending members on adjacent support members can support the same hip rafter.

[0007] The, or each, outwardly extending member preferably comprises an arm or a tongue.

[0008] Preferably, the, or each, outwardly extending member is pivotally attached to its carrier member such that, in use, the outwardly extending member can be pivotally moved in a plane substantially parallel to the section of the roof of which the respective support member forms a part. Each outwardly extending member preferably engages the respective hip rafter and may be received thereby.

[0009] Advantageously, the arrangement includes first and second hip rafter support members, preferably the first support member comprises means to enable the first support member to be attached to the apex of the roof, preferably directly so attached. The first support member preferably comprises only one outwardly engaging member. Preferably, the attachment means comprise apertures defined in the carrier member to enable fastening means, for example a bolt, to be passed therethrough.

[0010] The second hip rafter support member preferably comprises a pair of said outwardly extending members, which are desirably spaced from each other on the carrier member.

[0011] The arrangement preferably includes two of said first support members and may also include at least of one said second engaging members, and preferably a plurality of said second support members, arranged between the two first support members.

[0012] Each outwardly extending member is preferably in the form of a substantially flat plate, which may be substantially rectangular in configuration, and is suitably elongate. The carrier member of each second support member preferably comprises a substantially flat plate and may be of substantially rectangular configuration.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the outwardly extending members are attached to the carrier member at opposite edge regions of the carrier member. The carrier member may be provided with formations to allow an intermediate rafter to be attached thereto. Thus, the intermediate rafter is arranged, in use, between adjacent hip rafters. The formations may be in the form of apertures to receive therein attachment means, e.g. bolts.

[0014] The carrier member may be provided with attachment elements to pivotally attach the, or each, outwardly extending member to the carrier member. Each attachment element may be in the form of a rib or a flange extending inwardly from the edge region of the carrier member, preferably along one face thereof. Two of said attachment elements are preferably provided to attach each outwardly extending member to the carrier member.

[0015] The preferred embodiments of the above described invention is particularly suitable for use with hip rafters comprising first and second portions which are pivotally movable about each other and ridge rafters having a rotatable section adapted to rotate to correspond to the angle of the roof.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hip rafter support member for use in connecting hip rafters at the apex of a hipped roof, the support member comprising a carrier member and at least one outwardly extending member pivotally attached to the carrier member.

[0017] Preferably, the or each outwardly extending member is pivotally attached to its carrier member such that, in use, the outwardly extending member can move pivotally in a plane substantially parallel to the section of the roof in which the respective support member forms a part.

[0018] In a first embodiment, the hip rafter support member comprises a formation to enable the support member to be attached to the apex of the roof, preferably directly so attached. In this embodiment, the support member preferably has only one outwardly extending member.

[0019] In a second embodiment, the hip rafter support member comprises a pair of said outwardly extending members which are desirably spaced from each other.

[0020] The, or each, outwardly extending member of the first and second embodiment is preferably in the form of a substantially flat plate, which may be of substantially rectangular configuration and is suitably elongate.

[0021] In the second embodiment, the carrier member comprises a substantially flat plate and may be of substantially rectangular configuration. The outwardly extending members may be attached to the carrier member at opposite end regions of the carrier member. The carrier member may be provided with formations to allow an intermediate rafter to be attached thereto. Thus, the intermediate rafter is arranged, in use, adjacent hip rafters. The formations may be in the form of apertures to receive therein attachment means e.g. bolts. In the first embodiment, the carrier member comprises a substantially flat plate and may be of substantially rectangular configuration. The outwardly extending member is preferably attached to the carrier member at one edge region thereof.

[0022] The carrier member may be provided with attachment elements to pivotally attach the, or each, outwardly extending member to the carrier member. Each attachment element may be in the form of a rib or a flange extending inwardly of the carrier member of the edge regions thereof, preferably along one face thereof Two of said attachment elements may be provided to attach each outwardly extending member to the carrier member.

[0023] The first and second embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for use with hip rafters comprising first and second portions that are pivotally movable about each other. The first embodiment is particularly suitable for use with a ridge beam having a rotatable section adapted to rotate to correspond to the angle of the roof

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawings in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a conservatory;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hip rafter support member;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another hip rafter support member;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a view of a connecting arrangement comprising a plurality of hip rafter support members;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 as it would be in situ at the apex of a hipped roof;

[0030]FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of FIG. 5 with hip rafters provided thereon; and

[0031]FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of FIG. 6 with intermediate rafters arranged between the hip rafters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic view of a conservatory 1, attached to a wall 2 of, for example a house. The conservatory 1 comprises a plurality of wall sections 3 arranged in sequence one after the other. One of the wall sections 3 includes a door to allow entry into, and exit from, the conservatory 1.

[0033] The conservatory 1 also includes a pitched roof 4 comprising a plurality of first roof sections 5 which extend on either side of a ridge rafter 14. A rearward pair of the first roof sections 5 (labeled 5A) are attached to the wall 2. A forward pair of the first roof sections 5 (labeled 5B) are provided forwardly of the rearward first roof sections 5A and are attached thereto.

[0034] A connecting arrangement 10 is provided at the forward end of the ridge rafter 14 to connect together a plurality of hip rafters 64 and intermediate rafters 80, to provide a forward section of the roof 4.

[0035] The hip rafters 64 extend from the connection arrangement 10 to an eaves beam 8. In addition the intermediate rafters 80, which are provided between adjacent hip rafters 64, also extend from the connection arrangement 10 to the eaves beams 8.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the connection arrangement 10 is shown with a cap 7 provided thereon. The connection arrangement 10 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 7 and is described in full below.

[0037] The hip rafters 64 and the intermediate rafters 80 define between them a plurality of second roof sections which together provide the forward section of the roof 44.

[0038] Glazing 9, in the form of appropriately shaped panes of glass is provided in each of the first and second roof sections 5 and 6.

[0039] Although the conservatory 1 is shown with six second roof sections 6, it will be appreciated that the conservatory 1 could have any other suitable number of second roof sections 6. Also, if desired, the intermediate rafters 80 could be omitted, and the second roof sections 6 could be made smaller.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7 of the drawings, particularly FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a connecting arrangement 10 for connecting together hip rafters 64 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) at the apex of a hipped roof In FIGS. 6 and 7, the hip rafters 64 are designated respectively 64A, 64B, 64C and 64D from right to left for ease of reference. The arrangement 10 comprises a first hip rafter support member 12, which (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7), is attached to the ridge rafter 14 of the rectangular roof section of a conservatory, for example. The first hip rafter support member 12 comprises a carrier member 16 and an outwardly extending member in the form of an arm 18 pivotally attached to the carrier member 16. The carrier member 16 comprises a substantially rectangular flat plate 20 and a pair of connecting flanges 22 between which the arm 18 is pivotally arranged.

[0041] The arm 18 comprises a substantially rectangular flat plate 28 which extends to a cylindrical portion 30 via a second region 32. A cylindrical projection 24 extends from each of the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion 30 and is journelled within an aperture 26 in each of the connecting members 22.

[0042] An attachment member 34 extends from the carrier member 16 at one end thereof. The attachment member 34 is in the form of a substantially rectangular flat plate and defines a pair of apertures 36 therethrough, which are capable of receiving appropriate bolts to enable the first support member 12 to be bolted to the ridge rafter 14, in the position as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. A positioning member 38, in the form of a flange extends on one face of the attachment member 34, which is adapted to engage the sawn off end of the extruded ridge rafter 14 such that when the first support member 12 is inserted into the ridge rafter 14 it slides in until the flange 34 engages the end of the ridge rafter. The first support member 12 is then in the correct position.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the ridge rafter 14 comprises an elongate main portion 115 having a principal longitudinal axis X.

[0044] The main portion 115 comprises an elongate dividing member in the form of a dividing wall 116, and two holding arrangements 118, 120 provided on opposite sides of the dividing wall 116.

[0045] Each of the holding arrangements 118, 120 defines a respective for receiving and holding therein a respective rotatable section 126, 128.

[0046] Each holding arrangement 118, 120 includes upper and lower holding means 130, 132 for holding the rotatable sections 126, 128.

[0047] Each upper holding means 130 includes upper connecting members 134A, 134B connected to each other as shown, and a downwardly depending wall member 136 provided on the connecting member 134B, and which slidably engages an upper part 138 of the rotatable section 126, 128 received in the respective cavity 122, 124. The connecting members 134A and B are secured to each other by co-operating tongue and groove formation 135.

[0048] Each lower holding means, 132 comprises a lower curved wall member 140 which slidably engages a lower part 142 of the rotatable section 126, 128 received in the respective cavity 122, 124.

[0049] Each of the rotatable sections 126, 128 is held within the respective channel 122, 124 and is elongate. Each rotatable section extends along the main portion 115.

[0050] As described above, each rotatable section 126, 128 includes the upper and lower parts 138, 142 which are curved in configuration, presenting a convex face to the respective upper and lower wall members 136, 140 thereby allowing the upper and lower 138, 142 parts to slide relative to the respective upper or lower wall member 136, 140 which enables each rotatable section 126, 128 to rotate.

[0051] Each upper part 138, is connected to the respective lower part 142 by intermediate members 144, 146 which are connected together by tongue and groove co-operating formations 148, as shown. The lower one of the intermediate members 146 defines a partially covered open topped channel 150 into which can be received the head of a bolt (not shown) to be held therein. The bolt is provided to secure the respective first hip rafter support member thereto as described above.

[0052] Adjacent to the support member 12, shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 there is provided one of three second support members 40 arranged in sequence around the apex of the roof. In the embodiment shown, the three of said second support members 40 are designated respectively 40A, 40B and 40C. The same components of the respective support members 40A, 40B or 40C is designated with the same number but a different letter A, B or C as appropriate. In the discussion that follows, however, reference should be made to FIG. 3 in which the features of the second support members 40 are shown. The discussion below thus describes the second support members 40 generally without reference to a particular letter A, B or C.

[0053] Each support member 40 comprises a carrier member 42 and a pair of outwardly extending members in the form of arms 44, 45 pivotally attached to the carrier member 42 which comprises a substantially rectangular flat plate 48 and two pairs of spaced connecting members 50. The outwardly extending member 44 comprises a substantially rectangular flat plate 52 and a cylindrical portion 54 from each end of which a cylindrical projection 56 extends to be journalled within an aperture 58 in the connecting member 50. Between the cylindrical portion 54 and the substantially flat plate 52 there is provided a shoulder region 60 to position the arms 44, 45. When the arm 44 or 45 has been inserted fully into the channel of the hip rafter, as will be explained below, the shoulder region 60 engages the sawn off end in the extruded hip rafter 64 and the arm 44 or 45 can be inserted no further.

[0054] Each of the hip rafters 64 is provided with first and second elongate generally L-shaped portions 160, 162 can pivot relative to each other thereby orienting themselves in correct alignment for the panes of glass that form the roof. The first and second portions are oriented relative to each other by the arms 44 or 45 inserted therein. A central elongate member 164, generally in the form of a flat plate, extends between the first and second elongate portions 160, 162 lengthwise of each of the hip rafters 64.

[0055] The elongate central portion 164 and the first and second L-shaped portions include first and second co-operating formations 170, 172 to co-operate with each other and connect the L-shaped portions 160, 162 to the central portion 164. The first co-operating formation 170 are respectively provided along the lower corner of the L-shaped portions 160, 162 and the co-operating formations 172 are provided along the lower edge of the central portion 164.

[0056] The first and second co-operating formations 170, 172 are formed so that the L-shaped portions 160, 162 can pivot or rotate relative to the central portion 164 about the respective co-operating formations 170, 172.

[0057] A pair of apertures 62 are defined in the flat plate 48 and are to receive therethrough bolts to allow attachment to the flat plate 48 of intermediate rafters 80, as will be explained below.

[0058] Each of the hip rafters 64 is provided with channels 68, 70 defined by the L-shaped portion 160, 162. The channels 68, 70 are able to receive the arms 44, 45 respectively of adjacent support members 40 as will be explained below. The arms 44, 45 are secured in the channels 68, 70 to the L-shaped portions 160, 162 by suitable securing means, for example nuts and bolts, or may be a friction fit in the respective channels.

[0059] Adjacent the first support member 12 is the second support members 40A, 40B, 40C which follow each other in sequence from right to left in FIGS. 3 to 6. Finally, at the left hand side of the support member 40C, as shown in FIG. 4, there is be provided a further first support member 12A attached to the ridge beam 14.

[0060] When the first support 12 is connected to the ridge rafter 14 one of the hip rafter s, designated 64A is attached to the outwardly extending member 18. As can be seen, the hip rafter 64A is provided with an extension 65 to which the arm 18 is connected. The arm 18 is connected to one side of the hip rafter 64A, the other side of the hip rafter 64A designated 66 is attached to the arm 44A of the support member 40A adjacent the hip rafter engaging member 12. The adjacent hip rafter, designated 64B, receives in the channel 68 the arm 45A of the support member 40A, and the channel 70 of the hip rafter 64C receives the arm 44B of the support member 40B. Similarly, the channel 68 of the third hip rafter 64C receives therein the arm 45B of the middle engaging member 40B. The channel 70 of the hip rafter 64C receives therein the arm 44C of the left hand engaging member 40C.

[0061] The channel 68 of the hip rafter 64D receives therein the arm 45C of the support member 40C, and the side 78 defining the channel 70 comprises an extension similar to the extension 65, receives the arm 18 of a left hand first support member.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown the next stage in the construction, in which intermediate rafters 80 are attached to the plates 48 of each of the second engagement members 40A, 40B, 40C at the apertures 62 by appropriate bolts (not shown).

[0063] Thus, the final constructed roof is in the form of a plurality of hip rafters 64 connected to the support members 12, 40. Since only the two outermost support members 12, 12A are actually attached to the ridge rafter 14, the other support members are effectively floating thereby enabling each of them to take up its most appropriate position in order to accommodate any desired pitch of the hipped roof.

[0064] It is an advantage of the above described embodiment of the present invention that it allows a roof to be constructed for, e.g. a conservatory that can be of any height and removes construction from the builder. It is a further advantage that only one set of components is required to construct roofs of different pitches and heights. Another advantage is that the above described embodiment will ensure substantial convergence of the main axes of the hip rafters and intermediate rafters at the center or apex of the roof.

[0065] Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0066] Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. 

1. An arrangement for constructing a roof, the arrangement comprising: a ridge beam having a main portion and a rotatable section on the main portion; a plurality of hip rafter support members arranged sequentially adjacent one another around an end of the ridge beam, each support member comprising a carrier member and at least one outwardly extending member pivotally attached to the carrier member, wherein the carrier member of a first hip rafter support member is attached to the rotatable section; a plurality of hip rafters arranged sequentially around the end of the ridge beam and supported by the hip rafter support members, each hip rafter comprising first and second parts pivotally mounted relative to each other, and each part being attachable to a respective one of the outwardly extending members; wherein adjacent outwardly extending members of adjacent hip rafter support members can respectively support the first and second pivotal parts of the same hip rafter.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outwardly extending member comprises a selected one of an arm and a tongue.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outwardly extending member is pivotally attached to its carrier member such that, in use, the outwardly extending member can be pivotally moved in a plane substantially parallel to the section of the roof of which the respective support member forms a part.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outwardly extending member engages the respective hip rafter and is received thereby.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of hip rafter support members includes first and second hip rafter support members, the first support member including only one outwardly extending member and means to enable the first support member to be attached to said end of the ridge beam, and the second support member including a pair of outwardly extending members, spaced from each other on the carrier member.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 5 further including two of said first support members and at least one of said second support members arranged between the two first support members.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6 including a plurality of said second support members, arranged between the two first support members.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein each outwardly extending member is in the form of a substantially flat plate, which is substantially rectangular and elongate.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the carrier member of each second support member comprises a substantially flat plate and is of substantially rectangular configuration.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the outwardly extending members are attached to the respective carrier member at opposite edge regions of the carrier member.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrier member is provided with attachment elements to pivotally attach at least one outwardly extending member to the carrier member.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein each attachment element is in the form of a selected one a rib and a flange extending inwardly from the edge region of the carrier member, along one face thereof, two of said attachment elements being provided to attach each outwardly extending member to the carrier member.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrier member is provided with formations to allow an intermediate rafter to be attached thereto.
 14. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the formations are in the form of apertures to receive therein attachment means.
 15. A roof arrangement formed from the arrangement as claimed in claim
 1. 16. A rafter for use with an arrangement for constructing a roof, the rafter comprising a first elongate main portion and a rotatable section rotatably mounted on the main portion whereby a further member can be connected to the rotatable section at a desired extent of rotation of the rotatable section.
 17. A rafter according to claim 16 wherein the rotatable section is elongate and extends along the main portion.
 18. A rafter according to claim 16 wherein the main portion includes a holding arrangement for receiving and holding the rotatable section, and the rotatable section includes upper and lower parts to engage the holding arrangement to allow said rotation of the rotatable section.
 19. A rafter according to claim 18 wherein the main portion includes upper and lower elongate wall members engaging the respective upper and lower parts of the rotatable section, the upper and lower parts being curved and presenting a convex face respectively to the upper and lower wall members to allow said rotation of the rotatable section.
 20. A rafter according to claim 18 wherein the main portion includes two of said holding arrangements and a dividing wall extending therebetween and the rafter further including two of said rotatable sections, each being received and held by a respective one of said holding arrangements.
 21. A rafter according to claim 16 in the form of a ridge rafter.
 22. A rafter according to claim 16 wherein the rotatable section is in the form of a generally L-shaped elongate portion defining a channel.
 23. A rafter according to claim 22 wherein the main portion and the rotatable section each include co-operating formations that co-operate with each other to rotatably secure the main portion to the rotatable section.
 24. A rafter according to claim 23 wherein the co-operating formations comprise a channel and an elongate projection received in the channel.
 25. A rafter according to claim 16 wherein the main portion and the rotatable section are rotatably attached to each other along a lower edge region of the main portion.
 26. A rafter according to claim 16 wherein the main portion is generally in the form of a wall.
 27. A rafter according to claim 16 including two of said rotatable sections rotatably mounted on the main portion on opposite sides thereof.
 28. A rafter according to claim 16 in the form of a hip rafter.
 29. A ridge beam assembly for use in hip roofs or the like comprising; a) an elongate main element having a spaced pair of elongate journaling spaces; b) a spaced pair of journalled elements respectively positioned in the journaling spaces; c) the journalled elements including surfaces adapted for receiving hip beam connection members and, d) the journalled elements being further adapted for connection to such members.
 30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the elements are extrusions.
 31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein each journalled element has a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the axis and relative to the main element.
 32. The assembly of claim 29 wherein each journalled element has a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about this axis and relative to the main element.
 33. The ridge beam assembly of claim 29 further including; a) a plurality of hip beam connection members connected to the journalled elements, and, b) a plurality of interconnected hip beams pivotally connected to the connection members. 